Cartridge.



PATENTBD FEB.

A. H. EMERY.

CARTRIDGE. APPLICATION rmm HAR.12,1903.

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PATENTED FEB.

A; H. EMBRY. CARTRIDGE.

APPLIOATION FILED 11.13.12, 1903.

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No. 811,910. PATENTED FEB. 6, 1906."

A. H. EMERY.

CARTRIDGE.

APPLIGATION FILED MAR.12,1903.

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CARTRIDGE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 6, 1906.

Application filed March 12, 1903. Serial No. 147,543.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT H. EMERY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Stamford, in the county of Fairfield, State of Connecticut,have invented new and useful Improvements in Cartridges, of which thefol lowing is a specification.

Heretofore cartridges have been made of loose grains of brown and blackpowder and of loose grains or sticks of smokeless powder. It has alsobeen proposed to make large perforated cakes of the latter. Those whichhave been made of loose grains of either brown, black, or smokelesspowder or sticks of smokeless powder have usually in the case ofcartridges for large guns been formed by placing the loose grains in oneor more bags, which are placed in the chamber of the gun, which isusually larger than the bore. In this case there is great danger,especially in the case of smokeless powder, of a large por tion of thecartridge when lighted suddenly moving forward into the bore of the gunand choking or damming at the front of the chamber, where it reduces tothe diameter of the bore. A stoppage of the powder at this place resultsin an increase of the pressure of the gases of combustion, and thisincrease of pressure causes greater rapidity of burning, still furtherincreasing the pressures, resulting in dangerous strains or even in thebursting of the gun. Some guns have doubtless been burst in this manner,the accident being laid to the uncertainty and irregularity of thepowder, when it was really wholly due to this choking, as explained.

I have endeavored to make a cartridge of such form that it will notbreak up and wedge or choke by passing from the chamber into the bore ofthe gun, also to so construct the cartridge that it may be wholly ormostly consumed in the chamber without breaking up or so constructing itthat part of it will be so consumed and the other part move freely intothe bore without wedging, providing such venting of the cartridge thatthe products of combustion easily move forward and such air-spacing withsuch proportion of kinds and forms of powder having such an extent ofsurface and such rates of decrease and increase of surface as burning ofthe whole cartridge progresses that the pressure will quickly reachnearly or quite the maximum before the shot has moved far, after whichwith an increasing surface of combustion it keeps the pressure as highas, but not greater than, the gun is well fitted to carry as theprojectile moves forward, until the protridges shown in Figs. 1 and 1*.Fig. 6 shows I an end elevation of another form of these cartridges.

In the figures, 1 is a central ribbed tube,

preferably made of explosive material, with uniform thickness of thinwalls, around which the main body of the cartridge is assembled andsecured by nuts 2. In Fig. 1 the cartridge consists of a longitudinalseries of cellular sections 3, separated by ribbed lighting and ventingplates 4, as shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 1 shows also one of these ribbedplates partly broken away, exposing the cellular structure of thesections 3, which are perforated with a large number of longitudinalholes of any desired form, best hexagonal and equidistant from eachother. ribbed plates 4 with the ribs on one face symmetrical With andopposite those on the other face and a plate 4* with symmetrical ribs onits two faces, but with the ribs on one face opposite the spaces on theother face. The general form and use of these parts has been fullydescribed and claimed in my application of March 11, 1903, Serial No.147,346. In Figs. 1" and 5 a cartridge is shown of somewhat similarconstruction, where the lighting and venting plates 4 are omitted andthe parts 3 are replaced by one or more sections 3, secured around thecentral stem 1 by the nut 2; but in this case the perforations of thesection 3 are not longitudinal but radial, with walls of uniformthickness between them, the diameter of the hole increasing in onedirection only and forming of themselves lighting and venting passages.In Figs. 1 and 5 the sections of these radial perforations are shownrectangular with uniform thickness of walls between them. In Figs. 2 and3 the radial walls of the perfora- Fig. 5 shows one of the.

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tions are slightly curved, while the transverse walls are parallel, andin Figs. 2 and 4 the radial walls are still more curved. Theperforations shown in Figs. 1 and 5 have a uniform thicknesslongitudinally of the cartridge, but a width rapidly increasing from theinterior to the exterior, giving uniform thickness to the walls betweenthem, while in Figs. 2 and 3 and 2 and 4 the transverse walls betweenthese cells are of uniform thickness, and the cells or perforationsthemselves are of uniform longitudinal thickness or length, with theWidth rapidly increasing from the interior to the exterior; but theradial walls between them instead of having plain parallel faces havecurved faces. The perforations may be tapered slightly in the otherdirection also, if desired, to allow the perforating-tool to beextracted more rapidly.

Fig. 6 shows two concentric annular bodies of explosive material 3* and3, separated and held together by rods 5 and nuts 6, best made ofexplosive material. The annular spaces A between these form air-spacesand large venting-passages, through which the products of combustionpass to the front of the cartridge. These two annular bodies 8 and 3 maybe either or both built up, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5 or as shown inFigs. 1 and 5 The tubular rods 5 should, if of large diameter, be ribbedto cause quick combustion, as shown in my application of even dateherewith, hereinbefore referred to.

When the cartridge is made as shown in Figs. 1 and 5 or as shown inFigs. 1 and 5*, if the diameter is equal to thatof the chamber, ornearly so, it is held centrally in the chamber, and the air-passage Abetween the ribs of the central stem should be large to providesufficient venting to prevent the cartridge from blowing to pieces. Forthis reason the central hole in these sections is made very large. Thethreads on the stem 1 and nuts 2 when the cartridge is ignited quicklyburn sufficiently to allow the whole central stem to pass on with theflow of the gases out of the chamber. The unburned part of the main bodyof the cartridge remains within the chamber until it is nearly or whollyconsumed. In Fig. 6 the outer body 3 has nearly or quite the diameter ofthe chamber and remains therein until nearly or wholly consumed, whilethe inner body 3', the

. outer diameter of which is less than that of the bore of the gun, willunder the action of the flowing gases begin to move forward out of thechamber as soon as the threads on rods 5 and nuts 6 are burnedsufficiently toallow of this movement. If the outer diameter of thesecartridges is not nearly or quite as great as the diameter of thechamber, they should be carefully centered therein by lugs, legs, orribs, as I have shown in my other application of even date herewithhereinbefore referred to.

In the central stem 1 (shown in Fig. 1 and in Fig. 6) there is alongitudinal central hole sii,9i0 I running the whole length, in therear end of i which should be placed a lighting charge of quick-burningpowder, which may be lighted by electricity or by the primer in theusual way. This lighting charge 7 is shown in Fig. 5 contained in alight case 8, of paper or explosive material, which is secured in thescrew-cap 9 of explosive material. In Fig. 5 this stem 1 contains infront of this firing charge 7 a charge of rapid-pressure-developingpowder 10 of such quantity and form of grains as to greatly increase theentire burning-surface of the cartridge. The tube 1 is perforated withlateral holes at suitable distances, and the flame from the firingcharge 7 will light the powder 10 and simultaneously blow through theseholes intothe igniting-passages in the external part, and so light thewhole cartridge. In Figs. 1 and 5 the stem 1 has a similar inner stem 1in the rearof the central tube of which is put the igniting charge,while in the pockets B, formed by the ribs of these tubes, is placed therapidpressure-developing charge 10, secured by cap-nuts 9. In thecartridge shown in Fig. 6 the stem 1 is used in exactly the same manneras is the stem 1 just described. Similar nuts to 9 (not shown) are usedhere also. This rapid-pressure-developing powder should have in theaggregate a large burning-surface and a large surface per pound, withthin walls which will be nearly or wholly consumed by the time themaximum pressure is reached. Usually the slow-burning powder whichconstitutes the larger portion of the cartridge will have a large and anincreasing surface of combustion as burning proceeds. The large surfaceof combustion of this and the rapid pressuredeveloping charge togethershould develop nearly or quite the maximum pressure desired before theshot has moved far, at which time the consumption of therapid-pressuredeveloping charge will have temporarily decreased theburning surface of the entire charge, which surface, however, will berapidly increased thereafter by reason of the cellular construction of alarge portion of the slow-burning powder, whidh is necessary to keep upthe pressure to the extent desired under the rapidly-increasing velocityof the projectile but the cells should be so proportioned in theslow-burning powder that this increase will not be so rapid as to causethe pressure to exceed that desired in the chase of the gun. Theincrease of the burning-surface of the slow burning powder may bechecked or reduced at any position of the shot by so proportioning thediameter of the cells and the thickness of walls in a part of thecartridge that the walls of these cells are burned through when the shotreaches that position. The constructions shown greatly facilitate themanufacture of a cartridge which will have these properties.

In making this cartridge in' many cases the form shown in Fig. 6 ispreferred, with such size and proportions that the outer body fills thechamber of the gun diametrically and extends usually from thebreech-block well into the conical part of the chamber, while the innerpart of the cartridge has a diameter somewhat smaller than the bore ofthe gun. The thickness of the outer body at the front end when thus madeis so small that the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 5 is undesirablefor that part of the cartridge. Moreover, should the remainder of thisouter body be made up as shown in Figs. 1 and 5 there would be tendencyfor the sections to separate, and those in the conical part of thechamber would in moving forward be reduced in diameter and crushedtogether, endangering or disturbing the proper action of the cartridge,which should be that the outer body remains in the chamber until it isconsumed, while the inner portion moves freely into the bore of the gun,and the best action is had when the inner part of the cartridge movesfreely forward into the bore and becomes largely separated and spreadout while burning 1n the space between the chamber and the projectile.This last condition is more readily brought about by the constructionshown in Figs. 1 and 5 than it would be by those constructions shown inFigs. 1 and 5*, while by making the outer part of the cartridge as shownin Figs. 1 and 5 such part is readily made to retain its position in thechamber until consumed. The relative diameters of the exterior andinterior of this part of the cartridge are such that the perforationsmay be made of the desired form and number very readily, whereas theexterior and interior diameters of the inner part of the cartridge aresuch relatively that the ra dial perforations with uniform thickness ofwalls have undesirable proportions, being very large at the exterior andvery small at the interior. The construction shown in Figs. 1 and 5readily lends itself to a proper thickness of walls, perforations, andvents and permits the desired distribution of this part of the cartridgein the bore while burning.

Having thus described the invention, the following is what I claim asnew therein:

1. A plate of explosive material for cartridges constructed with raisedribs upon its opposite faces, the ribs on one face being opposite thespaces on the other and extending from the exterior toward the interiorof the plate.

2. A cartridge constructed with a longitudinal series of transversesections or plates of explosive material, each having a large centralopening, said plates or sections being separated from each other atsuitable intervals by ribbed plates which form lightingpassages, thewhole cartridge being suitably secured together, to form a cartridgewith a large central orifice through which the gases of combustion canpass to the front of the cartridge.

3. A cartridge constructed with a longitudinal series of shorttransverse sections or plates of explosive material, each section beingformed with or having a large central orifice coaxial with thecartridge, open to permit the free passage of the gases of combustion tothe front of the cartridge, and secured together by a rod or rods ofexplosive material, said plates or sections being separated from eachother at suitable intervals by ribbed plates which form lighting andventing passa es.

i. A cartridge constructed with short transverse sections of explosivematerial, each section having a large number of longitudinal holesforming a burning-surface which increases as combustion progresses, andseparating ribbed plates interposed between said sections at suitableintervals, said plates having igniting and venting passages, each of thesaid sections and plates having a large central orifice, coaxial withthe cartridge, through which the gases of combustion can pass to thefront of the cartridge.

5. A cartridge constructed with short transverse sections of explosivematerial, each section having a large number of longi tudinal holesforming a burning surface which increases as combustion progresses, andseparating ribbed plates interposed between said sections at suitableintervals, said plates having igniting and venting passages, saidsections and plates being suitably secured together, and each of thesaid sections and plates having a large central orifice, coaxial withthe cartridge, through which the gases of combustion can pass to thefront of the cartridge.

6. A cartridge constructed with short transverse sections of explosivematerial, each section having a large number of longitudinal holesminutely dividing the body of the sections into thin walls, andtransmitting flame uniformly to all parts of the interior of thesections; said holes being hexagonal and disposed so as to give equalthicknesses of walls between them and insure substantial completion ofcombustion of most of the entire mass at the time the walls are burnedthrough; and separating ribbed plates interposed between said sectionsat suitable inter vals, said plates having igniting and ventingpassages, each of the said sections and plates having a large centralorifice, coaxial with the cartridge, through which the gases ofcombustion can pass to the front of the care tridge.

7. In a cartridge, the central tube of explosive around which a lcrgepart of the cartridge is secured, said tube being constructed with aseries of longitudinal ribs on its exterior which, with the surroundingcartridge,

form longitudinal cells and longitudinal lighting and venting passagesfor the surrounding cartridge.

8. In a cartridge, the central tube of explosive around which a largepart of the cartridge is secured, said tube being constructed with aseries of longitudinal ribs. on its exterior which, with the surroundingcartridge, form longitudinal cells and longitudinal lighting and ventingpassages for the surrounding cartridge, and having powder in theselongitudinal cells.

9. In a cartridge, a central tube of explosive material, around which alarge part of the cartridge is assembled, this tube having a v series ofcells or pockets, in which is placed explosive material, and caps ornuts to aid in securing powder placed in said pockets or cells.

10. A cartridge constructed with an exterior annular body ofslow-burning powder, containing a longitudinal tube of explosivematerial interior thereto, through which the charge is ignited, havingexternal radial ribs centering it within the body of slow-burning powderand forming pockets, and a rapidpressure-developing powder containedwithin said pockets.

11. A cartridge constructed with an exterior annular body ofslow-burning powder, containing a quick-burning charge of rapidpressure-developing powder, a longitudinal tube containing thequick-burning powder and centering it within the exterior annular body,said containing-tube having a series of longitudinal external ribsforming large passages through which the gases from the slowburningpowder when developed can pass through to the front of the cartridge.

12-. A cartridge consisting of separate concentric annular bodies ofexplosive material, perforated to increase their surface of combustion,and projections, ribs or rods, separating and holding said bodiesconcentric, and leaving large longitudinal air-spacing be tween them,through which the gases from combustion pass to the front of thecartridge.

13. A cartridge consisting of separate concentric annular bodies ofexplosive material perforated to increase their surface of combustion,and projections, ribs or rods, separating and holding said bodiesconcentric, and leaving large longitudinal air-spacing between themthrough which the gases from combustion pass to the front of thecartridge the exterior diameter of the inner annular body being smallerthan the bore of the gun in which it is to be fired.

14. A cartridge consisting of separate concentric annular bodies ofexplosive material perforated to increase their surface of combustion,and projections, ribs or rods, separating and holding said bodiesconcentric,-and leaving large longitudinal air-spacing be tween themthrough which the gases from combustion pass to the front of thecartridge, the exterior diameter of the outer annular body being nearlyor quite equal to the diameter of the chamber of the gun in which it isto be fired.

15. A cartridge consisting of separate concentric annular bodies ofexplosive material perforated to increase their surface of combustion,and projections, ribs or rods, separating and holding said bodiesconcentric, and leaving large longitudinal air-spacing between themthrough which the gases from combustion pass to the front of thecartridge, the exterior diameter of the outer annular body being nearlyor quite equal to the diameter of the chamber of the gun in which it isto be fired, the exterior diameter of the inner member being smallerthan the bore of the gun and so secured to the outer that soon aftercombustion begins it will pass forward into the bore of the gun and beconsumed while the outer body is consumed largely or wholly within thechamber of the gun.

16. A cartridge consisting of separate concentric annular bodies ofexplosive material perforated to increase their surface of combustion,longitudinal rods separating said bodies, so as to leave largeair-spacing between them, and heads or nuts through which the rodssecure the concentric bodies together.

17. A cartridge constructed with an outer annular body of slow-burningpowder perforated with radial holes, with such thickness of walls thatthey will be substantially burned through at the time the projectileleaves the gun, andan inner annular body around a central stem ofexplosive material, said inner body being made up of series oflongitudinal sections or thick plates separated from each other by thinribbed plates, said longitudinal sections being perforated with a seriesof longitudinal holes, having such thickness of walls as will cause themto burn through when the projectile has reached that position in thechase of the gun where a large reductikoln of the burning-surfacebecomes desira e.

18. A cartridge constructed with an outer annular body of slow-burningpowder perforated with radial holes, with such thickness of walls thatthey will be substantially burned through at the time the projectileleaves the gun, and an inner annular body around a central stem ofexplosive material, said inner body being made up of a series oflongitudinal sections or thick plates separated from each other by thinribbed plates, said longitudinal sections being perforated with a seriesof longitudinal holes, having such thickness of walls as will cause themto burn through when the projectile has reached that position in thechase of the gun where a large reduc- "tion of the burning-surfacebecomes desirable, the inner annular body being separated from the outerby an annular space which forms a passage for the flow of gases to thefront of the cartridge.

19. A cartridge constructed with an annular body perforated with a largenumber of radial holes minutely dividing up the walls for ignition andburning, with a rapidly-increasing surface of combustion, the size, formand arrangement of these perforations being such that the section of theperforation rapidly increases from the interior outward, and the wallsaround the perforations have substantially the same thicknessthroughout.

20. A cartridge constructed with an annular body perforated with a largenumber of radial holes minutely dividin up the walls for ignition andburning, with a rapidly-increasing surface of combustion, the size, formand arrangement of these perforations being such that the section of theperforation rapidly increases from the interior outward, and the wallsaround the perforations have substantially the same thicknessthroughout, said annular body having a large central orifree throughwhich the products of combustion pass to the front of the cartridge.

21. A cartridge constructed with an outer and an inner annular body, oneof which has a large numb er of radial perforations minutely dividing upthe walls for ignition and burning and the other of which is constructedof a series of longitudinal sections perforated with a large number oflongitudinal holes and separated from each other by ribbed plates whichform igniting and venting passages.

22. A cartridge constructed with an outer and an inner annular body, theouter one of which has a large number of radial perforations minutelydividing up the walls for ignition and burning, and the inner of whichis constructed of a series of longitudinal sections perforated with alarge number of longitudinal holes, and separated from each other byribbed plates which form igniting and venting passages.

The foregoing specification signed this 10th day of March, 1903.

ALBERT H. EMERY.

In presence of ALBERT H. EMERY, Jr., EDWIN S. CLARKSON.

